For some reason, as I get older, I'm more interested in news and politics, and less interested in other stuff.
I've heard that statement made in various ways, and, having lived it, have to agree. When you're young, it's normal to be liberal, when you're older, it's normal to be more conservative.
Got my first BB gun at ~8 years old, first shotgun at ~12 years old. I've had at least one gun ever since then.
It wasn't until I was 40ish that I started to really pay attention to politics & those that would take away my/our hobbies for whatever reason. I'm not talking just guns; There are those who would take away motorcycles (street & dirt), RC model airplanes/cars, knives, plastic model glues, etc. etc. etc. All in the name of safety. Before that time, even though I did own guns, I really wasn't worried.
Over the years, I've noticed that the crime rate seems to be increasing. It may just be that the news media has grown and/or more crimes are being reported, but either way I've become more aware of what's going on in the world and becoming more worried about my & my families safety/freedom.
I'm also not as self-absorbed as I used to be.
So, I'm thinking that it's not paranoia, it's simply a better awareness of what's happening in the world around us.
Then again, I may just be justifying my paranoia